This Week's Preview
The special tournament to decide the champion in a half-season, the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, is finally kicking off.
The tournament divides all 20 J1 League clubs into East and West regions for the regional league round, then holds home-and-away playoffs between teams with the same rankings from East and West to determine the annual standings. If the match is tied after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout is used to decide the winner under a complete settlement rule. Teams winning within 90 minutes earn 3 points, teams winning by penalty shootout earn 2 points, and teams losing in the penalty shootout receive 1 point. In the regional league round, 2 million yen is awarded for each point earned. The champion club is granted qualification for the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27. Another unique regulation of this special tournament is that there is no promotion or relegation based on standings.
In their second season, "Rikizo Tokyo" has set a clear goal of "championship" for this special tournament. Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI is asking the players to reform their mindset in daily life and aims to further strengthen the team's key strength, their sincere attitude.
"We have truly lived by the phrase 'Let's aim to be champions' since the camp. I conveyed to the players that as the season opens, we must firmly share our goals and become a team worthy of that position. We have never won the championship yet, and if asked whether we are the team that should reach that point, maybe not. However, to pioneer a new era and create a new history from here, we must become a team worthy of that. To become such a team, daily actions and habits are important, and the players' attitude towards training is one of our strengths. I believe they continue to approach it with an excellent attitude."
After concluding the Okinawa Itoman camp, the team, which had been training hard at Kodaira Ground, went to Ajinomoto Stadium two days before the opening match and held a closed practice session imagining the real game to boost overall morale. In that opening match, FC Tokyo will face last year's champions, Kashima Antlers, at Ajinomoto Stadium. Considering the short six-month battle to aim for the championship, they want to win the first game and push forward all at once. Coach Matsuhashi also mentioned the opening match, saying, "To increase the chances of winning even a little, it is important to gain momentum with a strong start. It will be a truly important match."
Looking back at last season, although we fought on equal terms or better in both matches against Kashima, we lacked finishing power and were defeated. From that experience, the players repeatedly spoke about the "importance of mental toughness." Aiming to become a truly winning team, a team that can win, a team that can attract victory, we also start the battle against ourselves. Coach Matsuhashi said, "Ultimately, the one who pulls it in wins. How we connect that, how we acquire strength ourselves—that is the key. We must accumulate daily attitudes, mindsets, words, and actions that are worthy of attracting victory." He also mentioned that changing daily behavior is the key point.
Sei MUROYA has been appointed as the captain for the new season. Since his return to the team last summer, he has consistently shown a passionate and intense attitude in daily practice, earning praise from his teammates who said, "He has raised the standards at Kodaira." Now, the player wearing number 2 will don the captain's armband. He himself said, "I haven't thought about it much and will just be myself as usual. I think that's the most natural way for me," maintaining his calm demeanor. However, with a wry smile, he added, "The season hasn't even started yet," but firmly stated, "I believe I must take full responsibility, and I also see this as a chance to become the captain of a title-winning team."
Also, players who have returned to the blue and red are expected to attract attention. Ryunosuke SATO has returned from a developmental loan to Fagiano Okayama, and Hayato INAMURA, who came from FC Tokyo U-15 Musashi, will don the blue and red uniform again on a loan from Celtic FC (Scotland). If both take the pitch together, a huge cheer is likely to erupt from the stadium.
Ryunosuke SATO said, "I think many people are waiting for me, but I want to prioritize enjoying it without feeling pressured. Continuing to perform well will prove my ability, and I truly believe this is a decisive season, so I only have feelings of excitement. I am aiming to score in the opening match, and since the season has started off well, I think I will be able to score." He is trying to fully enjoy his return to Ajinomoto Stadium after a long time.
Also, player Inamura stepped onto the pitch at Ajinomoto Stadium during the practice two days before and said, "Looking from the pitch to the stands, I felt nostalgic. I used to watch matches from there. Personally, this is my first official match in about half a season, and my first time playing a match at Ajinomoto Stadium since turning pro. It's also the pitch I admired when I was in junior high school, so I'm really looking forward to the match," showing an excitement he couldn't hide.
The new team aims to play soccer that values possession of the ball more than last season. Coach Matsuhashi, who said, "I have been pushing my ideas to the forefront during training from the camp," stated, "We will always take the initiative offensively. This means not only holding onto the ball but also actively trying to win the ball back when we don't have it. We want to clearly show this attitude. We also want to pursue fun and wonderful soccer that excites our fans and supporters. The players are fully understanding how to bring out their strengths so far. If we can combine these elements, I believe it will definitely lead to an attacking style of soccer," painting a vision for the future.
The Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League, where the club has set the goal of winning the championship. To achieve true strength and become a consistently victorious team, the Blue-Red Army will face the short-term decisive battle with a mindset reform and daily efforts. The opening match against the reigning champion Kashima will be the first step, and we want to make it a game that shows the Blue-Red's determination to soccer fans across Japan.
Interview with Manager Rikizo MATSUHASHI
Q. As the opening match approaches, is there anything you have told the players?
A,</strong> at the start of this season, we firmly shared the goal of 'winning the championship.' Toward that goal, we have repeatedly communicated the need to become a team worthy of it. FC Tokyo has never won the league title, so if asked whether we are a team destined to win, I would say no. However, we should become a team that pioneers a new era. I believe we can fully take actions worthy of that team daily and make them habits. On top of that, I have been conveying the message every day to aim for the championship.
Q, New players have also joined. What kind of soccer do you want to show to the fans and supporters?
A, although the new players have not yet fully settled in, I believe the best way for them to adapt is by playing matches. From a football perspective, we always want to take the initiative and show an attacking style of play. This means not only controlling the ball but also actively pressing to win the ball back when we don't have possession. There are many ways to express it, but we want to play football that makes our fans and supporters feel "excited," "enjoyable," and "wonderful," so that they can be fully satisfied while watching.
Q: We will face the 2025 season league champion team in the opening match, a team we must overcome to win the championship.
A, I think this is a very important match. Since it is a short-term tournament, it is crucial to make a good start dash to increase the chances of winning even a little. In that sense, I believe this will be an important match.
Q. What is your impression of Kashima Antlers?
A, since it is before the season opener, not everything is clear, but judging from the squad, many players have not changed, and it gives the impression that they have been steadily working on refining last season's base. It is a team with many experienced players, coaches, and staff, so I believe we must firmly bring out what we currently have.
Player Interview
Sei MUROYA
Q. The opening is finally here. Considering the preparation period was shorter than usual, how has the progress been since the team started activities on January 5th?
A, several new players have joined, we held a camp, had some good practice matches, and I think the team was able to prepare very well. It feels positive, and I didn't really feel that the preparation period was too short. Some players have played two full 90-minute practice matches, so I think the duration was just right. Personally, it's difficult to maintain and improve condition if the period is too long, so for me, it was just right.
Q. Regarding the direction the team is taking in soccer for the 2026 season, I believe there are aspects that have been further refined compared to the 2025 season. How do you feel about this progress?
A, basically, we want to maintain the foundation and intensity that have made our team significantly better over the past six months, but the coach also talks about wanting to control the ball a bit better. As a team, we have been continuously discussing how to improve, but the coach is not simply telling us to just hold the ball; scoring goals remains the top priority.
I believe that is also one of our strong points, so the balance of quick attacks, or rather moving simply and quickly towards the goal, is important. We hold onto the ball when we need to. However, we must also improve the accuracy of simple counters and fast attacks. I think that is our greatest strength, so in order to create more such opportunities, it comes down to how well we can control the ball throughout the 90 minutes. That is what the team has been working on.
Q. Tomorrow's opening match is against the league champion team from last season, Kashima Antlers. In a short season with 20 matches, do you see this as just one of the games, or is it important as a strong start? How do you feel about the upcoming match?
A, as last season's champion team, having the opportunity to play that match at our home ground, and moreover in the opening game, is a great chance for Tokyo. By winning there, I believe the fans and supporters will surely have high expectations for the team this season. In that sense as well, we want to win.
Q. Please tell us how you feel about facing your first match as the captain of Tokyo. And finally, please give a message to the fans and supporters.
A, I am the type to get fired up once I step onto the pitch, and I don’t think there’s any need to change that. Just because I’m wearing the captain’s armband doesn’t mean anything will particularly change. In fact, this is my first time being entrusted with the captaincy, so I’m looking forward to seeing how I feel throughout the season. Of course, I will take responsibility, but how I will develop and how I will feel is something I won’t know until it actually starts. Rather than feeling pressured, I want to be myself as usual. I believe Coach Matsuhashi entrusted me with this role expecting just that, so I don’t think there’s any need to change anything in particular.
Tomorrow as well, but especially in front of the fans and supporters who come rushing to the stadium, I want to win and make them passionate, so I want to play in a way that achieves that in every match.
Please fight together with us.
Takahiro KO
Q, the opening is finally here. The preseason period was shorter compared to previous seasons.
A, there was nearly a month, so I took about two weeks off and then started training to get ready for the season. The team starts tomorrow, so when I think about it, including the camp period, it felt very fast and went by in the blink of an eye.
Q. How is the progress of adjustments as a team and individually amid the fast-paced preparations?
A, personally, first of all, I need to steadily improve my condition, and of course, avoiding injuries is important. This is my 10th season as a professional, and I have gradually come to understand how to take care of my body. Focusing on that, my condition has steadily improved. As a team, several new players have joined, and I feel that Coach Rikizo MATSUHASHI's influence has become stronger, reflected in the demands during training. What remains important is whether we can properly respond to the opponent's intensity, so I think we will keep trying.
Q: We hear from other players about bringing out more of Coach Matsuhashi's style. Do you interpret this as a new style, or as deepening what was started in the 2025 season?
A, last season there was also a proposal from Coach Matsuhashi. However, I think it's fine when the team is doing well, but there were times when we couldn't fully take on the challenge when things weren't going smoothly. So first, we need to try challenging once. There was talk about actively taking on challenges, including training menus and practice matches during the camp, so how much everyone can challenge during the actual games is important. Also, since it's a competition, I think it's just a means to win. You can win if you score more goals than the opponent and don't concede, so I think everyone needs to consider how to work towards that.
Q. Last season, one of the challenges mentioned was the ability to flexibly adapt on the pitch during matches according to the opponent and the game situation.
A, however, as a premise for the team, we definitely want to take control. In attack, we want to maintain possession of the ball firmly and make the opponent move. Defensively, we want to apply a strong high press, and this season there is a stronger emphasis on this even during training compared to last season. Within that, even if the opponent presses from the front, continuing to connect passes is an option, and since we have many good players up front, using a long ball to turn the game around is also a valid option. Having flexibility on the pitch is absolutely necessary, so we want to be able to choose either approach.
Q: The first match of the season is suddenly against the league champion team of the 2026 season.
A, I truly believe that Kashima Antlers, who won last season, are an amazing team, so I think the most important thing here is to first confront our current position. However, since the season is short, we must accumulate as many points as possible. The team has clearly stated the goal of winning the championship, and this is a shared awareness throughout the entire team, so we want to do our best to earn points steadily. So far, we've talked about soccer, but first and foremost, it's about "fighting." I believe this is an absolutely essential part that cannot be overlooked. Fighting, which is a basic element, is something that winning teams possess. We want to set a high standard and play a game full of spirit.
Q. Finally, please give a message to the fans and supporters.
A, I think a lot of fans will come tomorrow, so as I just said, it is important to play while firmly showing the determination that we will win against the opponent first. Since we can fight at home, let's fight together and share the joy in the end.
